My son, Elmer.
We were in a car accident when he was six years old.
His right frontal cortex was badly damaged,
and he lost the ability to feel emotions.
For many years, he didn't feel affection,
happiness,
or love.
It sounds terrible, yes.
But sometimes…
it was a huge advantage.
Everything is easier
when you feel neither anxiety
nor fear.
Nor guilt.
THE GARDENER TREES AND PLANTS
Some days, I know he could tell that something was missing…
and he'd ask me why he wasn't like everyone else.
But later, he would let it go.
He had everything he needed in his plants,
his books,
his van,
and, most importantly, with the love I gave him.
LEAVING PONTEVEDRA
THE GARDENER
Hi, sweetie.
Wash your hands.
Are you hungry?
-The beach always makes me hungry. -Well, dinner's ready. Have a seat.
-Everything okay? -All good.
I love you.
-Are you not eating? -No.
I lose my appetite when you go out on those jobs.
The beans are really good.
I'd never know from your face.
Despite his struggles, I loved my son more than anything else in the world.
Since he was little, he had a special connection
with trees and plants.
Maybe because with them,
he didn't have to fake emotions he didn't feel.
He started by sketching small landscapes, which he planted behind our house.
"Botany is the science of beauty," he'd often say to me.
And it's true.
His interest in calculus, chemistry, and geometry
helped him create spaces that were remarkable for their artistry.
Science and beauty.
When I asked him, he always said that the secret was in the fertilizer.
ATLANTIC LANDSCAPE
Apparently, after death, the human body retains numerous minerals
that are highly nutritious to plants.
There is no better fertilizer than a corpse.
THE GARDENER
That's right. The body still hasn't turned up.
The beach is closed.
Detectives Torres and Carrera from Pontevedra local PD.
Investigating the disappearance of Antón García Martín.
Tell me we didn't come for nothing.
You're in luck.
We haven't found the body yet.
-And where are the rest of his things? -On the sand, there.
A couple from O Grove saw the clothes.
Since there was no one in the water, they feared the worst and alerted us.
They'll keep searching, but I doubt they'll find anything.
Why is that?
The current probably pulled him out to sea.
Well then, what do we do?
Wait. If you know how to wait, 90% of cases solve themselves.
They often turn up on their own. Alive or dead, but they turn up.
The water must be freezing. Would you go swimming?
-I don't even swim in the sea in summer. -Why not? You can't swim?
Of course I can, but I don't swim in the sea.
Wow, so mysterious.
I'll tell you about it later over a beer.
So, he folded his clothes neatly, left them there…
Doesn't it seem odd?
The wife is in the parking lot.
Who called her?
Yes, they're his things.
We have to hold onto them until your husband turns up.
Did he drown?
He was likely dragged out by the current or a boat--
Well, we can't be sure yet exactly what happened to him.
Is that his car?
-Yes. -I'll check it out if that's alright.
Is your husband a tidy person?
No, not really.
But he does like to swim at sunset.
The water's very cold this time of year.
True.
He's a tough guy.
My husband has gone missing. The police think he drowned at the beach.
Well, the sea is rough. They mentioned it on the news.
He won't come back, right?
You and your son are safe, ma'am.
-Your husband is no longer a problem. -Thanks.
May this be for the greater good of that woman and child.
May it repair the damage.
And may it also bring us many benefits,
so we can return to our house in Mexico.
May they want to sell it to us, and may I have the money to buy it.
Amen.
ATLANTIC LANDSCAPE
Hi, Elmer.
Your landscape is gorgeous.
Thanks.
How's Garden of the Year going, son?
Good.
You'll have to speak to a panel, you know that, right?
Could you do it?
Me? No. I'm not the artist here.
I don't know. I don't think it's a good idea.
Why not?
You're the one who knows about plants. And you deserve recognition, son.
You're so good at it.
I'm not good with people. I never know what to say.
You don't have to say anything, Elmer.
Just do the things you know how to do. What I taught you.
Where's the photo album with the pictures of me?
The one you always keep in your room.
Here.
There's a photo I want you to see. Get it out.
Find the one where I'm at the house in Mexico,
after I won an award.
I'm wearing a sleeveless dress.
Got it?
How do I look?
-Happy. -See?
It's nice to receive an award. It feels good, Elmer.
When are we going to Mexico?
When I have the money.
It's always the same. When you have the money. There's never enough.
It's an expensive house, Elmer. What are you trying to say?
That I'm lying to you?
You're angry.
No, son, but be careful what you say.
Here I am trying to make this happen, and you say that to me.
It's pretty nasty, Elmer.
I'm sorry, Mom.
It's fine, honey.
I'll go make dinner.
Are you hungry?
Sure.
And get used to the idea of talking to the judges, Elmer.
Mrs. Jurado?
Yes? Good afternoon.
I'm Sabela Costeira.
I'd like to speak with you.
In private.
You have a son, right, Mrs. Jurado?
One. Yes.
YOUR MOTHER WILL NEVER FORGET YOU
I had one too.
-He died eight months ago. -Oh. I'm so sorry.
He was my joy.
My love.
The only pure and real thing in my life.
Would you like us to help you design a space in his memory?
I didn't come here to talk about plants.
Then how can I help you?
I won't rest easy
until the person responsible for my son's death stops breathing.
I don't really know how I can help you.
Oh, you know.
If you'd like to work together,
you need to understand that we make problems disappear.
Here today, gone tomorrow. That's all.
And it's no easy thing to make problems disappear.
It takes time.
It has to be done very carefully.
I'll be very generous.
Look.
This is the problem I'd like to get rid of.
Very well.
Another one?
It's too soon.
Elmer. Think about it.
It's a lot.
We could buy the house in Mexico with this.
This'll be the last one, right?
The last one, then we're done.
ESTUDIANTES SCHOOL 2ND GRADE B
Okay. Let's go, kids! This way.
Hi. Come on.
Go with Daddy. Come on!
LOURIDO ROWING CLUB
Aren't you coming to practice, space cadet?
Well, no. Maybe not.
Besides, there is no practice tomorrow.
-Are you kidding me? -Are you hungover?
-You have a date? Yeah! You do. -With who?
You already know who.
Who knows? He could be caught under a mussel raft, in the ropes, or…
Yeah. Well, if you come up with another theory, give me a call.
Okay, thanks.
The coffees are on you.
Here. The body hasn't turned up, and they've called off the search.
What's the Coast Guard saying?
-They also think it's strange. -Maybe because he didn't drown.
Are you suggesting it could be a predator? Like a shark?
Don't tell me you were traumatized by the movie as a kid.
I've been messed up since I left that movie theater.
-Is that why you don't swim? -Only up to my knees.
Poor thing. Come on. Let's head back to the beach.
I want to check something.
This beach is dangerous.
Should we close the beaches for swimming?
Maybe something happened before he got in the water.
Yeah, he could've met someone and left with them.
-Well, that's all I can come up with. -So basically, we have nothing.
Excuse me. Hi.
We're Detectives Carrera and Torres.
We're investigating a disappearance from this beach.
-The guy who drowned? -You saw him?
It was almost closing time.
He was about 150 meters away, just staring at the water.
Did he get in the water?
He got in the water. The surfer confirmed it.
No, he's saying he assumed he got in the water
because he saw the clothes on the sand, but the swimmer was gone.
Not quite the same thing.
Nobody listened to Chief Brody until it was too late.
Come on, Torres, enough with the Jaws jokes.
They're getting old.
Let's say he didn't go in the water. What did he do then?
The guy told us he didn't see anyone else with him.
So he either walked along the beach or went back to his car for something.
But his keys were in his pants.
I don't know. I'll need to think it through.
As you can see, the blue columns to either side
represent the connection between the sea, the water, and Galicia.
The columns rising out of the ground, heading in different directions,
the shorter ones in the back and these taller ones…
They represent Galician society.
And in the center, the world, united by several rings,
signifying how diverse it is,
and how Galicia is a part of that diverse world.
Finally…
Excuse me, may we take a picture for Diario de Pontevedra?
Smile, Elmer.
I'm leaving.
Are you okay?
Can you hear me?
Take it easy.
Easy. You passed out. No.
Don't get up yet.
Hey, look at me.
Relax.
I'm right here with you, all right? Breathe.
Do you want to go to the doctor? Or should I call an ambulance?
No.
-No? -No.
Okay.
I think you should eat something sweet.
I know the perfect place.
Shall we?
Yeah? Let's go.
Let me help you.
Ah. You're fine.
It's just low blood sugar. It's normal.
It happens to my kids sometimes.
I always keep a few cookies in a drawer in case any of them faints on me.
Sugar is a great fertilizer for plants.
Are you a gardener?
Yes.
You're a teacher?
Preschool.
Sorry, I'm late for something.
You're okay now, right?
-Yeah, I feel much better now. -Great.
-See you around. -Okay.
-Bye. -Bye.
What happened earlier?
Elmer!
What happened earlier?
I just had a headache.
-And are you better now? -Yes. I'm much better.
Are you sure?
Want me to make you a doctor's appointment?
Well, only if you want to.
Wanna watch a movie later?
I'm going to my room.
Okay. Now something's scared you.
Oh, wow. That was great! You're good at that one.
Now, so happy!
Very good, Elmer!
Now… Oh, you've got a bug crawling on your shoe.
Gross. It's leaving a trail of slime.
Disgusting.
That's it. That one was perfect.
Oh, how embarrassing!
Oh, so embarrassing!
Embarrassment is tough. That one's a little harder for you, honey.
Why am I not like everyone else, Mom?
You're special, son.
You're one of a kind.
Everything okay?
Elmer, is everything okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Viole, you were quiet during practice. Are you okay?
Yeah.
It's just that something weird happened yesterday.
What? What happened?
Some guy passed out in the square.
Yeah. Nothing serious, though. Just low blood sugar.
-Is the guy all right? -Yes.
And more importantly, was he cute?
Girl…
Yeah, he was kinda cute.
And he was kinda quirky. I don't know. Anyway…
-What was his name? -No idea.
Hi.
Any updates?
No.
I'm still thinking about the beach thing.
-What's this? -A gift.
I saw it in a shop window and thought of you.
Let me buy you a beer.
Want another one?
We've already had two.
What is it?
What's your deal, Torres?
I don't know. What do you mean?
Tell me something. You like me, right? Do you want to sleep with me?
Let's go to my place.
No. I don't think that's a good idea.
Excuse me?
I swear, I wasn't trying anything with you.
Right.
-I'm an idiot. -No. Wait.
Maybe I gave you the wrong signals, but…
I'm not that kind of guy.
Oh, really? What kind of guy are you, then?
The kind that doesn't cheat on his wife.
You're paying.
Milky.
Come on.
Come here, baby. Come.
Good boy.
You're thirsty.
Hello?
I know who you are, and you don't scare me.
I don't get what these calls are about, but it's ridiculous.
I've told you a thousand times.
I'm sorry, but I had nothing to do with your son's death.
Leave me alone.
I think this suit's too formal. I don't know if I need it.
Well, the awards are at Santa Clara.
You can't show up looking like just any old person.
And you'll need to say a few words.
Hey, I can help you with what to say, if you want.
Sound good? Would you like that?
Good evening.
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who voted for my work.
I'd also like to thank all our customers,
each and every person who works at our nursery,
and…
most importantly, I want to thank the person
who has always supported me, and been there for me.
My mom.
And then you blow me a kiss or something and say,
"Thanks, Mom."
"Thanks, Mom." That's it.
I want to dedicate this award…
to someone
who has been there for me this whole time.
Someone who gives my life meaning every day.
I want to dedicate this to you, Mom.
For giving me life.
Thank you.
Bravo, Elmer!
I'm so proud of you.
Your garden looks like something out of a fairy tale.
It really is incredible.
Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
You've got talent. Not sure where you got it from.
Hi.
-Good evening. -Good evening.
-Hi. -Hi. Congratulations.
I saw your photo in the paper and thought, "I'm gonna go. I want to see him."
Maybe it was a bad idea, and I should leave. Sorry.
No.
I'm just a bit nervous, and I don't really know what to say.
Well, I'm happy to see you.
Again.
I wanted to see if you were okay.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Well, "Gardener of the Year," should we grab a drink or…?
Hey, you had a bit of a funny face in that newspaper photo, didn't you?
-Yeah. They took it the day we met. -Right.
You were probably feeling a little dizzy, huh?
So, how did you end up becoming a gardener?
It's the family business.
I don't know. I've always felt very connected to plants.
I just feel comfortable around them.
More than around people?
They're less complicated.
I have a dog.
And I get along with him better than I do with most people.
-What's his name? -Milky.
-Milky? -Yes.
He's a Jack Russell.
Super brave and really affectionate.
I was going through a rough patch.
A very rough patch.
Anyway, adopting him was a turning point.
Little by little, things started to feel good again.
Do you have a dog?
No. I've never had a dog.
I've thought about it, but…
Although now, listening to you, I kind of want one.
What kind would you get?
One like Milky.
How come we haven't met before?
Elmer.
Everything was so lovely.
Your words really touched me, you know?
I'm so proud of you, Elmer.
Thanks, Mom.
Did you enjoy it? Did you have a good time?
Don't you have anything to tell me?
No.
I don't understand.
I saw you talking to that girl in the courtyard.
I got the feeling you'd met before, right?
We ran into each other by chance.
Don't you think it's dangerous to be talking with someone who's your target?
It's the most money we've ever been offered, Elmer.
-There will be other jobs. -None like this.
You'd have to take on loads to match this.
And you don't want to.
It's dangerous.
I know it's dangerous. And I accept that.
-I'm the one at risk after all. -We're both at risk.
You think if they catch you, they won't come for me?
-What did she do that we have to kill her? -That's not my business, or yours.
We made a commitment.
A job. Now we have to see it through.
Elmer. Listen carefully. Look at me.
With this, we can pay for the house in Mexico.
We'll get back what's ours.
What I built with years of hard work, Elmer.
The paradise I built for the two of us.
Let's finish this. Think about it, please.
It's the last thing I'll ask of you.
Please.
I'll do it.
Hey!
Get in.
Come on. Let's go!
Come.
Hi.
Hi. What are you doing here?
I usually come here to find inspiration.
Like Van Gogh with his sunflowers. Or Monet and his lilies.
-Ah… -I heard about a trail. The…
Foxo do Lobo or something.
-You know it? -Yes. It's beautiful. You'll like it.
What are you doing here?
I come here a lot to walk Milky.
Oh. What a coincidence, huh? Running into you here.
Yeah.
Is that your van?
Yes. It's my van.
Well, the nursery's van, but close enough.
I've got some chestnut seedlings in there.
Wanna plant one?
-Right now? -Yes.
Sure. Sounds good.
Come on.
Wait, sorry. Milky!
Milky!
Milky! Come here.
Sorry, I just had to find out if I'd like kissing you.
And?
I think I do.
And you?
Yeah, I like it too.
Subtitle translation by: Darina O'Hagan